Community welcomes Phila HOF's first class

Because the New Philadelphia-Marietta high school basketball game was cancelled Friday night, the community's first chance to meet and greet the initial class of the New Philadelphia High School Hall of Fame occurred at a reception in the school cafeteria.

The New Philadelphia Athletic Hall of Fame selection committee picked the date last summer, but the weather didn’t cooperate.

The first class of the brand new HOF at New Philadelphia was supposed to be introduced between the reserve and varsity basketball games against Marietta on Friday. The contests were called off because of snow.

But it takes more than a little bad weather to keep the Quakers from celebrating.

The reception that was planned after the games was moved up, and the group got together for an informal gathering in the school’s cafeteria.

“It’s too bad the game got cancelled, but this is a great thing,” said Sam Miller, one of the inductees. “People just like to get together like this.”

“We’re pleased with how this turned out,” said Ed Marsh, chairman of the selection committee. “We decided to bring them in in a less formal format than we’ll have (tonight). Outside of not being able to introduce them, a lot of people who would have been in the gym came to the reception.”

“There are a lot of people here that aren’t connected to the inductees, but just came,” said athletic director Ed Leggett. “It just shows what a great community this is.”

Not all of the inductees were able to make the reception, but there were plenty of smiles and handshakes to go around.

“It’s great to be able to get in there and talk to these guys,” said Bill “Cannonball” Cooper, who flew in from California for the event. “Jerry Wampfler was my coach, and I was proud to play with Sam Miller. He was four years ahead of me, but I got to play with him at Muskingum.

“This is a real honor. I feel proud to be a part of the first group.”

The group will be formally introduced tonight at a banquet being held at the McDonald/Marlite Center.

The initial class consists of 24 individuals as well as the 1940 state championship basketball team.